Door



Man ch 4, 1941. N. c. CLARK ET AL DOOR Filed July 16, 1958 INVENTOR. C. CLAQK R ARD \X/ BENZ ATTORNEYfi.

Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE DOOR Application July 16, 1938, Serial No. 219,564

Claims.

The present invention relates to vehicle doors, and particularly relates to a novel door construction for automotive vehicles.

One of the primary objects of the present in- 5 vention is to provide a simplified vehicle door construction which is economical to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved door construction having a single panel which is constructed to'define a portion of the window opening and to serve as the ledge support for a window frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a single door border element or door rail, in the form of an inverted U which is secured to the door panel and extends along both sides. thereof to complete the door and window opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door border element having an integral'overlap flange in which the overlap flange serves to provide a portion of the door hinge.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved simplified storage compartment as part oi. the door structure which also serves as the box section reinforcing member for the door panel along the lower edge thereof.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the drawing relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

Inthe drawing, in which like numerals are used to designate like parts in the several views throughout:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, with. parts broken away illustrating parts incross-section, of a vehicle door embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary crosssectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating parts in cross-section of a modified form of door construction according to the present inventlon.

Referring to the drawing. a door construction 50 is illustrated which includes a border element or door rail generally indicated at Hi. The border element Hl'is generally'in the shape of an inverted U and includes a base portion I2 and leg portions [41 and. [6.1 The base 12 andportions of the sides 55 I4 and [5 form the top and sides, respectively, of

a window opening; and thesides l4 and It extend tothe bottom of the door.

The door element Ill is of generally the same cross-sectional shape completely therearound and h has a base portion I8 with an inturned flange 20 5 on the inner side thereof. An out-turned flange 22, which is reversely bent upon itself as indicated at 24, is formed along the outer face of the element ID to provide an overlap flange therearound. The inner edge 26 of the overlap flange is curved inwardly so as to present a finished appearance.

According to one of the features of the present invention, the overlap flange forms a portion of the hinge structure by which the door may be pivotally mounted to the vehicle. Portions 28 are out out of the overlap flange at spaced intervals along the leg l6 beneath the window opening, and such cut away portions are adapted to receive therein complementary, substantially cylindrical portions 30 of hinge wing 32. A pintle or 20 pivot rod 36 is received within the portions in the overlap flange between the openings 28 and is received through the portions 30 of the hinge wing 32 so that the hinge wings 32 are pivotally mounted relative to the door. Such pivot rod 36 may be readily inserted through the bottom of theoverlap flange adjacent the bottom of leg l6, and the bottom may then be closed to retain the pin in place. Suitable openings 38 may be provided through the hinge wing 32 for attachment to the vehicle and for thereby pivotally' attaching the door to the vehicle.

The main body portion of the door is formed by a single door panel generally indicated at 49 which is inturned as indicated at 42 and then flanged upwardly as indicated at 44 to provide a window ledge. The side edges of the panel 4!) are flanged inwardly as shown at 44 and such inwardly turned flanges A4 are adapted to be connected to the base portion It of the sides l4 and It by welding, or the like, so that the panel 40 is secured'to the door rail. The door panel 4i] is also flanged inwardly as indicated at 46 along the lower edge thereof to stifien the door construction and to provide a finished appearance on the outside.

As mentioned above, the inturned portions 42 of the flange 44 provide a lower window ledge'for the support thereon of a window frame. The window frame is generally indicated at .56 and preferably is of the type disclosed in the copending application of Noble C. Clark, Serial No. 204,550, filed April 22, 1938. The window frame 58- is-provided with resilient sealing material 52 and double windows 54 and so as describedin the co-p'ending application referred to. The frame 50 serves to form the runways for the windows 54 and 56 and may be secured to the ledge portion 44 and to those portions of the door rail II} which form the window opening. The cross-sectional configuration of the door rail is such that the inturned flange 20 and the flange 24 on the overlap flange serve to retain the window frame and windows in position. The window frame 50 may have formed integral therewith, along the lower edge thereof, an outwardly presented portion 58 which serves to retain the sealing material in position and also serves to present a finished appearance on the outside.

Gussets 6!] which are generally triangular in hape and which are flanged inwardly as indicated at 62 and 64 are secured to the flange 20 of the border element In and also to the portions 42 and 44 of the door panel 40 by welding, or the like,

preferably at the corners under the window so as to strengthen the door construction. Locking mechanism for the door having a handle 10' associated therewith is adapted to be mounted-to the gusset 60.

Another sheet metal member in the form of a box-section I2 is disposed along the lower edge of the door panel 4!! and is secured thereto for providing a storage compartment and also for strengthening the door construction. The sheet metal member 12 has a downwardly disposed flange 13 along the lower edge thereof which is adapted to be seated upon the inturned flange 46 and be secured to the door panel along the lower edge thereof. The top edge of the panel is turned upwardly as indicated at 14 and the ends are turned upwardly as indicated at 16. Such upturned portions are adapted to be secured to the inner face of the door panel 40 and to the base H! of the legs [4 and 16 adjacent the lower end thereof by welding, or the like, so that the box section 12 is secured in position and strengthens the door construction. Openings 8!! are provided through the top of the box section l2 so'that the space between the inner face of the panel 49 and the inner wall of the box section is accessible for the storage of suitable articles. such as tools or the like. The edges of openings 80 are rolled over a wire 82 as indicated at 84 so that theedges of these openings are rigid and present a finished appearance.

In Fig. a modified form of the present invention is illustrated in which the outer face of the overlapped flange is substantially flush with the outer face of the door panel d0. Such a construction is effected by providing a stepped bend 86 along the sides of the door panel All adjacent the inner edge of the flange 24 of the overlap'flange,

so that the curved inner edge 26 of the overlap flange 24-is adapted to seat within the stepped bend 85. The outer face of the panel 483 is then flush with the outer face of the overlap flange.

From the above it is evident that a simplified door construction is provided in which a single panel only forms the major portion of the door body. Also, an integral border element in the form of an inverted U forms a simplified conb struction for providing the window opening and also portions of the hinge construction. The structure provided by the above described elements is rugged and light in weight and is also economical to manufacture.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the invention described without departing from the spirit and substance of the a window ledge and extending to the bottom of the door, and said border member being in the form of an inverted U forming the sides and top of the window opening and extending to the bottom of the door and secured to the-sides of said panel member outwardly of the marginal edge thereof to be exposed on the door face. 2. A sheet metal door comprising an inverted U-shaped bordere-lement forming the sides and top of a window opening and extending to the bottom of the door, said border element having an integral overlap flange formed thereon, and a sheet metal panel member forming the window ledge and having the sides thereof secured to said border element inwardly of the outeru'exposed portion thereof whichframes the-door at the top and sides. I

3. In a vehicle door construction, thecombination of a body formed of a single panel provided with a laterally inturned portion forming a window ledge, the edge along said ledge being flanged upwardly, the side and bottom edges of said panel member being flanged inwardly}. and an inverted U-shaped border-element forming the sides and top of the window opening andthe exposed marginal edge to the bottom of the. door, the side flanges of said panel being secured to said border element inwardly of. said exposed portion.

4. In a vehicle door construction, the combination of a body formed of a single panel provided with a laterallyinturned portion forming a window ledge, the edge: along said 'ledgjecbein'g flanged upwardly, the sides of said panel member being flanged inwardly, and aninverted U-shaped border element forming the sides and -top of a window opening and extending to the bottom of the door. a portion of the section of said border element being of T-shape in section to have the outer extending portion forming an integral'overlap flange, and the side flanges of said panel being secured to the inwardly. extending branch of said T inwardly thereof to have the top'portion a of said T exposed on the face. of the door edge.

5. A sheet metal door comprising an inverted U-shaped border element forming the sides and top of a window opening'and extending tojthe bottom of the door, a sheet metal panel member having an'inturned portion forming a window ledge and having the sides thereof secured-to said border element, and sheet metal .gussets disposed adjacent the upper corners of said panel" and secured to said inturned portion and to said border element to thereby reinforce the door construction, and locking vmeans supported on one of said gusset plates. j

6. A sheet metal door comprising an inverted U-shaped border element of inwardly presenting channel section with an outwardly directed flange forming the sides and top ofa window opening.

and extending to the bottom of the door, a sheet door construction.

7. A sheet metal door comprising an inverted U-shaped border element forming the sides and top of a window opening and extending to the bottom of the door, said border element having an integral overlap flange of hollow construction formed thereon, and a hinge member pivotally connected to said overlap flange through the medium of the hollow portion thereof.

8. In a sheet metal door construction, the combination of an inverted U-shaped border element forming the sides and top of a window.

opening and extending to the bottom of the door, said border element having an integral overlap flange formed thereon of hollow construction, portions of saidoverlap flange being cut away so that said overlap flange forms a hinge part, a hinge member cooperating with the hinge part of said overlap flange to provide a hinge connection, and means within the interior of said overlap flange pivotally connecting said hinge member thereto.

9. A sheet metal door comprising an inverted U-shaped border element forming the sides and top of a window opening and extending to the bottom of the door, said border element being of inwardly presented channel section having an integral overlap flange formed thereon extending in the opposite direction from" said channel,

a sheet metal panel member forming the window ledge and having the sides thereof secured in the channel of said border element, said panel member being stepped inwardly adjacent the side edges thereof to have the outer surface of said overlap flange and the outer surface of said panel member substantially flush.

10. A sheet metal door, including in combination, an inverted U-shaped member of inwardly presented channel section, a panel interconnecting the lower legs of said member substantially in the plane of the outer channel wall to the inner edge 01' which it is secured, and a window glass resting in the channel of said member above said panel.

NOBLE C. CLARK. BERNARD W. BENZ. 

